Strengthening links with the world-famous Royal Marine Band
On Saturday 31 January the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, welcomes the Portsmouth-based Royal Marines School of Music Training Band, who last year celebrated 350 years since the formation of the Royal Marines Corps.
Over 30 members of the Band will hold a morning workshop and rehearsal for young musicians followed by a public performance of classical and modern music, from ‘Rule Britannia’ to ‘Love Changes Everything’. Led by former Royal Hospital School pupil, WO1 Bandmaster Simon Tripp RM, this world famous military band will entertain with all the traditional elements of a Royal Marines Band including the impressive Corps of Drums and joined by pupils of the Schools own Band.
Bandmaster Simon Tripp said, ‘Each year the Royal Marines Band Service performs hundreds of events and concerts around the country, from ceremonial duty at Buckingham Palace to operations around the globe, but engaging with the next generation of young musicians is one of the most important and satisfying things we do. It’s a real personal pleasure for me to return to my old school, and to work with enthusiastic young musicians on a concert rich with the unforgettable sound of the Royal Marines.’
The Royal Hospital School Band is the ‘flagship’ of the School’s impressive music department and apart from ceremonial duties accompanying impressive parades, it has performed at many national events. Most recently at the opening of the National Maritime Museum 75th Anniversary Exhibition in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and before rugby internationals at Twickenham. The Band has also recorded several CDs and has toured in the USA, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Along with the Royal Hospital School Guard, they have also been invited to play an important part in a re-enactment of Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral on the River Thames this Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of this historical state occasion.
Roger Jones, Bandmaster at the Royal Hospital School said “We are proud to have such strong links with the World’s finest military musicians and look forward to welcoming Simon Tripp back. The Royal Hospital School provides exceptional preparation for those wanting to follow this career path. Another former pupil of the School, Craig Sanders, 19, was recently presented with the prestigious Prince’s Badge on completion of his three year training with the Royal Marines School of Music, as the best all-rounder. I hope to see more of our talented pupils achieve similar accolades in the future. With more than 60 musicians on the stage on Saturday evening this promises to warm the heart in the cold of January”.
Pre-concert drinks at 6.30pm followed by the concert at 7pm in the School Assembly Hall. Parking on the Parade Ground and tickets £10 (concessions £7) and children and students free.
For more information email music@royalhospitalschool.org or book online at www.ipswichregent.com or 01473 433100